National Volunteer Week (NVW) is seriously under-rated. We see things like “National Chocolate Day” at the dining hall (chocolate pork…very poor decision making there), but where is the acclaim for the myriad of volunteers throughout our nation and on our own campus? I am so proud to be a Student Leader with the Richter Center in the drive to appreciate the students and faculty on our campus that give their time to support our community.

It was one summer day in Fresno, and classes had recently begun for Fresno State students. I was enjoying my day on campus, when I noticed the Community Service Opportunities Fair in full swing in front of the Kennel Bookstore. I thought to myself, “It’s my junior year. I should start getting some experience in my field!” I immediately walked over and explored my options at the fair. I came across a table with a sign that read “CAT HAVEN”. Continue reading “A Passion for Wild Cats”→

Since starting the Richter Center Ambassadorleadership position in 2016, I have learned about the power of reflection, going beyond the “what,” and understanding the impact of the “why.” What you do (service) has a greater impact than you think; any small act of service can be grand to someone else, and that is the “why.” Continue reading “Behind Stories of Service”→

October, you are a month with different shades of pink. You are a reminder of the current, past or future of many women with breast cancer. As we reach the end of this month, I want to share a message of hope.

While I was an undergraduate student, I had the opportunity to participate in my first service learning course. For my major, Family and Consumer Sciences, one of the courses I took was CFS 133S – Child and Family Crisis. This course examines how families react and adapt after going through a crisis. It broke down roles of the parental figures, children, and other members that can be affected by an event that alters the family dynamic.

I started donating blood when I was 17 years old. I started by going to the blood drive hosted by the Central California Blood Center at my high school, Edison. I would see their blood mobiles parked on campus and become curious. Thankfully, a teacher informed me that I could donate at 17, so I gave it a try and I was hooked. Instead of waiting for the Central California Blood Center to come to my campus I started to go to their facilities, donating as often as I could.

During my sophomore year of college, I had a great opportunity to volunteer with an amazing organization called Habitat for Humanity. Now most people have heard of this global community benefit organization, but at the time, I didn’t know that they had a Fresno branch. When the sign-up sheet got to me, I wrote my name down and was thrilled to take part in my first experience with this organization! Continue reading “Building the Fresno Community”→